Iran denies pipeline deal

Following media reports that suggested that Iran and the Iraqi Kurdistan region had agreed on the construction of two crude oil transportation pipelines, according to Global Times, Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) and Trade Arabia, in a statement released on 3 January, Iran’s Ministry of Oil highlighted that no such agreement had been made.

The statement also suggested that the issue would be considered during Bijan Zaneganeh’s (Iran’s Minister of Petroleum) upcoming visit to Iraq, with a decision made based on his discussions with Iraqi officials.

"Any decision in this regard will be made during the upcoming visit of Iranian Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, to Iraq following his talks with the Iraqi officials," according to the statement.